Improvement in firemen s ladders



- 2 Sheets--She'et1. -M. CRUNIN l Firemens Ladde r. P10168233. Patented Sepi. 28, 1875.

Jay. 2.

NPETERS, PHDTO-LITHOGRAPHER. WASHINGTON. D Cv 2 Sheets--Sheet 2.

M. CRO'NIN Fire mens Ladder.

Patented Sep't. 28,1875.

N-PETERS, PHDTO-LITHOGRAPHER, WASHINGTON. D C,

UNITED STATES PATENT Orrron MARTIN CRON1N, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

IM PRQVEMENT IN FIREMENS LADDERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 168,233, dated September 28, 1875; application filed September 18, 1875.

To all whomit concern.-

. Be it known that I, MARTIN CRoNIN, of

Washington city, District of Columbia, have invented a new and useful Improvement in' Portable Platforms and Elevating-Derricks for Firemens Ladders, which improvement is fully set forth in the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making a partthereof, in which- Figure 1 is aside elevation, showing the ladder elevated with the working parts. Fig. 2 is a front view of the same. Fig. 3 is'a side .View of the platform and derrick folded down.

Fig. 4. is a plan view of the same. Figs. 5 and 6 are detail views of the journal-cap and caster-wheels. r y

The object of my invention is to provide a .portable platform for ladders, more especially for large ladders, such as are used by firemen, which can. be readily transported from place to place on any hook-and-ladder truck, wagon,

hose-carriage, or engine, and when in use will insure a safe and reliable support against ice, snow, and une'ven surfaces in the streets, while affording means for the rapid removal of the ladder from one building to another,

' and from falling walls; also,an easy, rapid,

' suitable ladder; B B" B B, a rectangular platform, to the under side of which are secured sill-pieces O O, which project over the sides,

and are provided with threaded holes, through which the screw-bolts D D D D project, and by which the platform is leveled on uneven surfaces, or secured from slipping when used on icy or smooth streets. Iron or steel pegs or shoes maybe used to advantage in icy or snowy weather, instead of the screw-bolts,

said pegs being driven down through the holes in the sills into the ground. At each corner of the platform are caster-wheels F F F F, which are secured to the ends of horizonwheels are adjusted and held in contact with the ground. I I are arms, pivoted by means of a rule-joint to the longitudinal pieces or stringers of the platform, in such a manner that when not in use they may be folded up against the sides of said stringers. When required for use they are opened out and guy rods or ropes J J are secured to their outer ends, which extend up and are fastened to the sides of the ladder, thus preventing any lateral motion of the ladder, and assisting in holding theladder steady when elevated. K K is an adjustable folding derrick, pivoted at its forward end to the cross-timber or crosstie of the platform, and having a flexible joint, which enables the free end to be brought up and seated in bearings made for the purpose in the longitudinal stringers of the platform, where it is secured by hinged journal-caps L L, provided at their free ends with a lip or projection, which extends down the side of the stringers, and through which pins M M are passed into said stringers, thus securing the derrick firmly in position. When not in use the derrick is folded down on the platform,

and can be conveniently transported, as seen in Fig. 3. At the front and lower end of the said pinion-wheel engaging with pinion-wheel R on shaft S, which also carries a ratchetwheel, T, with which a pawl, U, engages, said pawl being secured to the round of the flexible joint of the derrick, or any other convenient part of the derrick or drum.

I do not confinemyself to the exclusive use of the drum, with its connections for elevating the ladder, as it is obvious that a block-andtackle, screw, or other similar device may be used to advantage. One end of the rope having been secured to the drum, the other placed loosely on the round or cross-bar conn acting the joints. Secured to the other end of the rope is a double hook, V, sufficiently large to permit a person to pass through it. This is hooked over one of the rounds of the ladder when it is desired to elevate the same, and by turning the drum the ladder is raised. A stop or guy rope, W, is secured to the rear end of the platform, and to one of the rounds of the ladder, which prevents the ladder from being elevated too far or thrown beyond a perpendicular, which is likely to occur in the excitement of the moment incident to a conflagration. I

Having brought the platform into position and leveled it properly by the screw-bolts, or secured it by means of the bolts or pins to the ground, the derrick is then adjusted and secured in position. The lower end of the ladder, the stiles of which have been cut out for this purpose, is saddled over the cross-bar of the derrick. The rope is then unwound. from the drum, the hooks applied to an upper round of the ladder, and the guy ropes or rods secured to the ends of the folding arms, when the ladder is readily elevated by the turning Having thus described my invention, what I desire to secure by Letters Patent is l. A portable platform for supporting ladders, with adjustable caster-wheels and screwbolts, oriron pins, substantially as herein set forth, and for the purpose specified.

2. In combination with the portable ladderplatform B, the folding and adjustable derrick K, substantially as set forth, and for the purpose specified.

3. The combination of the portable platform B, derrick K, drum N, crank P, rope 0, double hookV, folding arms I, and guy-rod J with the ladder A, all substantially as shown, and for the purpose set forth.

4. The combination of the portable platform B, derrick K, drum N, crank P, ratchet wheel T, pawl U, rope 0, double hook V, fold-A ing arm I, guy-rod J, stop-rope W, adjustable caster-wheels F, and adjusting screws or pins:

D with the ladder A, all substantially asshown and described, and for the purpose set;

MARTIN ORONIN.

Witnesses:

J UHN D. BLOOR, E. G. WHEELER. 

